The findings of this quantitative, value-added study suggest that the nature of the content area background of middle school principals has a discernable relationship to student performance outcomes. Student achievement was substantially lower for...

What is the instructional leadership role of superintendents in districts with sustained high levels of student achievement and/or where student achievement has improved over time? The objective of the study was to identify characteristics of...

This instrumental case study investigated the success of an exemplary practice, student-led conferences (SLC), and its impact on engaging parents and empowering students. Theoretical elements including perceptions of student achievement, parental...

This mixed-methods study explored the impact of a National Distinguished Principal's leadership style on staff and students of a Vanguard School in Connecticut. Bolman and Deal's (1991, 2003) reframing construct formed the basis of this study. The...

The purpose of this quantitative study was to articulate leadership traits to increase collective teacher efficacy within schools and at grade level teams. The Nature of Leadership Scale (Leithwood & Jantzi, 1995) and Collective Efficacy Scale...

This case study investigated both the teacher attributes and the institutional factors that contributed to teachers' proficiency with and use of educational technology in a high school setting. A case study design was employed to develop four...

This embedded multiple-case study explored the relationship between student achievement in reading and science. Three Connecticut high schools, selected for their differing demographics, were studied. Grade 10 students' achievement on a reading...

This dissertation employed concept mapping, a mixed-method design, to identify what schools need to do to help students get along. Research on school bullying has measured members comprising a school's social equation (students, parents, and...

How well students perform in academic science courses over the long run is not as important as their understanding of broad science concepts and their attitudes toward science. As adults, these factors will influence their reaction to issues that...

"Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education."; Dissertation advisor: Ellen Retelle.; Ed.D.,Central Connecticut State University,,2013.; Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-170).

Professional learning communities (PLC) and collective teacher efficacy (CTE) show promising results in the area of student achievement by their relationship to each other. Based on a national survey of certified staff PLC teams, data showed that...

This mixed methods instrumental case study examined an educational change process in a middle school to inclusive practices for students with disabilities. Educational change continues to challenge principals and teachers. Appreciative inquiry was...

Connecticut's high school reform, as outlined in Public Law 10-111, mandated universal foreign language study for all students. Two credits of foreign language study will be required for all students graduating a public high school in Connecticut...

This study proposes a rationale for incorporating classical studies, including ancient Greek and Latin language, culture, and history, in American public schools. The field of Classics provides secondary school students with a uniquely wide range...

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the impact of individualized coaching on classroom teachers' mathematics teaching, specifically in the area of fractions. Participants took a pretest to determine their mathematical background...

Debate exists concerning the schooling of English language learners. The official discourse has been communicated through state as well as federal policy decisions. This mixed-methods study contributes to our understanding of this problem. Case...

"Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education."; Dissertation advisor: Karen Beyard.; Ed.D.,Central Connecticut State University,,2014.; Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-78).

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the effectiveness of small group literacy instruction on kindergarten students' text comprehension. A comparison study of half-day kindergarten programs in an urban city in Educational...